As is normal with interest rates, once rate pricing moves one way for an extended period of time, we will see a correction back. Rates hit 5 month lows on Friday October 2nd, but since then have steadily moved a little higher almost every day. The Mortgage Backed Security market closed 4 of the 5 days last week down, closing the week trading down – 34 bps.

Interest rate pricing is still very good, but is about .5 pts higher in pricing at the same rate then the prior week.

Not a ton of new data out this week so I expect interest rates to remain relatively stable barring an unforeseen event.

TRID mortgage regulations are now in place. Gone are the GFE and the HUD and now we have the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure. The new documents are meant to make it easier for a borrower to understand their loan. Borrowers now also have a 3 day period to review loan documents before they are legally allowed to sign.

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Interest rates had a great week last week with the Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market closing up every single day and closing the week up + 81 bps. With the improvement, interest rates are at their lowest levels in 5 months.

The week was highlighted by the September Non Farm Payroll report which came in well below expectations. Market analysts predicted job creation of 203k, but numbers were much lower at 142k. Job numbers were also adjusted down in July and August. Great news for interest rates, not great news for the economy.

On Monday, the TRID regulations finally go into effect which will affect the mortgage process with all lenders in the country. The main change is that the GFE and HUD settlement statement will be replaced by a different form highlighting rate, payment and costs. The new regulations also give a borrower 3 days to review the closing docs before signing. This will make the loan process a bit longer, but overall I feel the changes are good for the industry.

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Interest rates haven’t moved much since the FED announcement to not raise the Federal Funds rate last Thursday. The Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market traded down – 25 bps last week. This correction was somewhat expected after the MBS market went up so much after the FED announcement.

Interest rate pricing is still very close to their lowest levels in 4 months with the MBS market trading up + 16 bps so far on Monday.

Today the NY Fed President Bill Dudley spoke and stated that the FED will likely raise the Federal Funds rate by the end of the year. This week is employment week with the September Non Farm Payroll report due out on Friday. That report is always a big one and could cause rate volatility up or down depending on how the numbers compare to forecasts.

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Interest rates improved significantly on Thursday and Friday after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced they would not raise the Federal Funds Rate. The Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market closed Thursday/Friday trading up +83 bps, and the week up +47 bps. Perhaps more important, the FEDs comments on the fragility of the economy lead some in the market to believe that the Federal Funds Rate could stay at 0% for some time.

30 year fixed rates are now available at 3.875% paying .79 points (4.03% APR), and 3.99% paying 0 points (4.05% APR). 15 year fixed rates are now available at 2.99% paying 1 point (3.19% APR), and 3.25% paying 0 points (3.28% APR). **Priced with 740+ credit score, rate and term refinance at 75% LTV**

With interest rates near 4 month lows – now is a great time to lock in.

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Interest rates went up slightly last week with the Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market closing the week down – 28 bps.

30 year fixed rates are now available at 3.875% paying .89 points (4.05% APR), and 4.125% paying 0 points (4.14% APR). 15 year fixed rates are now available at 3.125% paying .51 point (3.22% APR), and 3.25% paying 0 points (3.28% APR). **Priced with 740+ credit score, rate and term refinance at 75% LTV**

The major news this week will still be the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) statement at 2 pm on Thursday, September 17th 2015. In a recent poll, 46% of Wall Street economists are predicting the FED to raise the Federal Funds rate. I still don’t think they will but the uncertainty of when they will is certainly taking a toll on the market.

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This is welcome news after interest rates went higher 4 of 5 days last week. The MBS market closed down – 67 bps last week. The week was capped by a stronger than expected November employment report where non-farm payroll job creation rose 321,000 compared to estimates of 230,000.

Most US economic reports have been positive recently – but rates have held up remarkably well due to economic weakness in other parts of the world. Although the FED’s Quantitative Easing program is coming to an end, many expect the European Central Bank (ECB) to initiate an asset purchase program which would be beneficial for interest rates.

Interest rates improved to 1.5 week lows after October’s employment report was released on Friday. Non Farm Payroll jobs increased 214,000 in October but were lower than expectations of 235,000 plus. The Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market closed up + 46 bps on Friday alone – taking back the losses from earlier in the week and closing the week positive + 25 bps.

On Monday the bond market pulled back taking some of the gains from Friday – closing down -31 bps on the Day. The bond Market is closed for Veterans day. Thank you to all the Veterans out there that have served our country.

Interest rates are very similar to where they started last week. Retail sales will be the biggest report of the week on Friday.

With Fannie Mae’s new version of their underwriting system DU – mortgage bankers and their clients are seeing a welcome change in the return of the PIW

PIW stands for Property Inspection Waiver.

When running a Fannie Mae Approval – sometimes Fannie Mae’s system grants a PIW which allows us to complete the loan without getting an actual appraisal. These No appraisal refinances are not for upside down homes, lower credit borrowers, cash out loans, etc. They are typically granted when there is a decent amount of equity based on average prices in the area and they are usually granted for higher credit score borrowers.

The purpose is to allow someone that has equity and great credit to get a loan without having to physically get an appraisal.

This is a welcome return – as it allows well qualified customers to complete a refinance without an out pocket expense and we can usually close the loan very quickly.

Since rates hit their lowest levels since June of 2013 two to three weeks ago, interest rates have slowly drifted higher. The Mortgage Backed Security market (MBS) closed last week trading down -17 bps, and the previous week down – 15 bps. This is a common reaction when rates go quickly one way, there is usually a pull back the other way. Even with the rise in rates, interest rates are still lower than they have been for a long time before the recent drop.

On Friday, Japan announced a large increase in their quantitative easing program – equivalent to over 720 billion in US dollars. This caused stocks to rise, but the MBS market, which normally would be hit hard by this news, only closed down – 6 bps. This shows that the current level of mortgage interest rates is quite strong.

Interest rates will be tested again this week. On Thursday, The European Central Bank will release a policy statement. On Friday – the US employment report will be released for October. If you are looking for safety, I would lock rates before Thursday.

Interest rates continued their strong move lower last week and this Tuesday – dropping approximately .25% over the past 6 days. The Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market closed last week trading up + 84 bps, and Tuesday trading up + 38 bps – pushing interest rates to the lowest levels we have seen since June of 2013.

Interest rates had been gradually improving and then we saw big movements lower in the past week and a half. Typically when rates go one way for an extended period of time – they will eventually get a strong correction the other way.

My recommendation is to lock in now. You will be locking in at the lowest rates in 1 year and 3 months – not bad.